West From Arizona, Featuring Visits With Loved Ones.

The Gumbos’ trip West from Lake Havasu was all about The Bean. This little puppy was sorta grumpy having to spend over three weeks in the desert — rocky, gravelly, cactus-y terrain is not fun on her puppy feet. She wanted some sand or, better yet, grass!

So, after briefly traveling north, Duwayne and Darla Jean pointed the rig west on I-40, in search of softer ground.

Duwayne driving west on I-40. Notice the shorts — the first, and only, time these were worn during the entire trip!

About 2 hours down the road, The Gumbos stopped at Amboy Crater, very near the town of Amboy, on historic Route 66. Amboy was once a somewhat thriving community, featuring Roy’s Cafe, until I-40 was built. Once the new freeway was completed, Amboy became a ghost town. The cafe, which once boasted a staff of 70 is now still open but with a staff of 2!

And, just outside of Amboy is Amboy Crater — a relatively recent volcanic crater — which has a couple of parking lots that allow overnight RV camping.

This was a beautiful spot, in the middle of the Mojave Desert, that had wonderful views and soft sand for The Bean to walk on.

The 1-mile walk out to the crater was calling Duwayne’s name but because of the first 80˚ day and with 25 knot winds, he decided to take a pass till next time.

Because this place is in the middle of nowhere, the night sky is amazing. Duwayne tried to take a photo with his iPhone but wasn’t successful. The Gumbos were able to identify Cassiopeia, The Big Dipper and the ever-illusive Bart Simpson constellation.

After a night at Amboy Crater, The Gumbos continued west on I-40 and then northwest on Hwy 58 up to to the town of Tehachapi. They were only intending to spend 2 nights at Brite Lake Aquatic Recreation Area (a campsite they had stayed at the previous year) but an updated weather forecast predicted yet ANOTHER atmospheric river heading to Central and Northern California. So, The Gumbos elected to stay for 3 nights, which was MORE than okay with The Bean because this place had GRASS! And squirrels!

And while they were camping at this spot, they had the most WONDERFUL visit from their son Jherek and his fiancé Mayumi, who drove from Glendale for the day. Food and wine were consumed, a drive to the town of Tehachapi was enjoyed and lotsa talking and hugging was done.

After Jherek and Mayumi departed, The Gumbos hunkered down for the approaching rain.

The expected rain DID appear that night but, by the following morning, it was dry enough for The Gumbos to hitch up and take off. The trip down towards Bakersfield from the Tehachapi Pass was like driving through a car wash — heavy rain with 18-wheelers spraying up a wall of water. But, by the time they got down into the Fresno area, the skies cleared, the temperature warmed up and the travelers had beautiful weather as they arrived at their destination — RandCher Vineyards in Caruthers, CA. This was another Harvest Host stay and The Gumbos parked in the middle of the vineyard.

As explained by the owner, who greeted Duwayne and Darla Jean during their stay, RandCher grows Thompson Seedless grapes that they sell to SunMaid for raisins.

Cheryl (the Cher of RandCher) and Darla Jean.

The Bean enjoyed sniffing the freshly-spread manure!

The owners were a little concerned that, due to the recent heavy rains, the vines were starting to bud too early.

After a very peaceful night, The Gumbos continued North up I-5 to Bob and Linal’s house in Sacramento. Duwayne and Darla Jean arrived at a perfect time as Bob’s company was hosting a St. Patrick’s Day Party on one evening and a crab feed was planned for the following day.

The St. Patrick’s Day party was held at a local sports bar.

Another highlight of the Sacramento stay was a visit with old friends Sharon Lunetta and her kids, Laura and Larry. Sharon is the wife of the late Stan Lunetta — a famous percussionist and electronic music device inventor that Duwayne had performed with in the group AMRA ARMA during the ’70’s and ’80’s.

(L to R) Laura, Larry, Sharon, Duwayne, The Bean and Darla Jean

Larry, after much tinkering, has been able to get Stan’s “CUBE” working.

The foyer in the Lunetta house features Stan’s “OBELISK”

After a delightful brunch with the Lunettas, The Gumbos did a brief drive-by tour of past residences in Sacramento and finished up with a visit to East Lawn Cemetery where Darla Jean’s mother and other relatives are buried.

And finally, on a warm and dry Saturday night, Bob & Linal treated The Gumbos to a scholarship benefit crab feed. While Darla Jean cracked crab, Duwayne shoveled it in. A trip to the doctor for gout treatment is probably in his future.

The day after the crab feed featured yet one more “atmospheric river” — more California heavy rain. Linal took Duwayne and Darla Jean to one of their favorite shopping spots — KP International Market. This place features amazing produce, seafood and tons of weird Asian and Mexican foodstuffs.